Category Archives: Australia Work and Holiday

Australia Work and Holiday, Hiring J1 Workers, J1 Summer Work Travel, spontaneous, Travel, Work Abroad

Jobs for Aussie’s

How much of the world can you fit in a suitcase?

Qualifying Austrian students and recent graduates are eligible to take part in a Work and Holiday Program to the US.  Let LifExchange help create your travel experience.  Whether you are looking for the whole package (visa sponsorship with one of our partners, Insurance, job placement and support) or just a Job Placement we have a package for you.

Current Available Jobs:

Borges Carriage and Sleigh Ride Employer Flyer (Australia)

Dunkin Donuts – Outer Banks Employer Flyer (Australia)

Hilton Garden Inn OBX Employer Flyer (Australia 2012)

We also have management trainee jobs available through our partner UWT at SIX FLAGS. Contact us to learn more.

Benefits:

  • Choose the departure date that suits you (Work & Travel 12 months)
  • You’ll earn US$ which you can use to travel around the country at the end of your program
  • You can explore life in the United States with maximum freedom and at minimum cost
  • You will get first hand experience of working in the world’s leading economy
  • You will gain important insights into American business culture that will enhance your future career prospects
  • You will challenge yourself and gain independence and maturity
  • You will enhance your resume and give yourself a competitive edge in the jobs marketplace
  • You’ll make friends from all over the world
  • You’ll have heaps of fun!

Eligibility:

  • Be a full-time student enrolled at a university or a technical education provider, such as TAFE in Australia ;
  • Have completed your first full year of studies, or
  • Have graduated from such an Institution within the past 12 months
  • Agree to abide by the program rules
  • Have a minimum of $2000 (US dollars) available in order to support yourself upon arrival in the US
  • Be an Australian

For more information you can contact us at:

Travel@LifExchangellc.com
718-606-1892
Skype: shari.lamont
Visit our contact page to leave a message

Thank you to all our employer partners who participate in this program.  Exchange programs allow young people from around the world to explore new cultures and become part of the ever growing global society.

Are you an American?  Visit our sister site www.LifExchangeCampus.com to learn how you can work abroad in Australia!


Australia Work and Holiday, entrepreneur, J1 Summer Work Travel, spontaneous, Thoughts and Words, Travel, Work Abroad

I am my business

Hello from LifExchange.  I am Shari – owner, operator, marketer and inspired entrepreneur.  I was recently told that my blogs, newsletters, etc were not personal enough.  I am my business.  I love to travel and it has changed my life!  I woke up one day in a job that did not move me and my wonderful husband said enough, it is time to open your own company.  After a bit of laughing and shaking my head I realized he was serious.

In Ghana
In Thailand

I have traveled to Peru, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Ireland, England, Germany, Turkey, Ghana, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Thailand, South Korea, China, Spain, Morocco, Israel and a few other places in my life’s journey.  He was right, why not help others find their dreams, passion and inner self the way I did.  So LifExchange was born and 1 year later here I am.

In our first year we had 115 students from 8 countries come to the US to Work and Travel.  We have signed-up our first American to go overseas with a company who has hosted over 5,000 Americans and the possibilities for what is next is endless.  But I guess the real question is why.  Why do I believe everyone and I mean everyone needs to travel abroad?

I think there is a sense of both self and community at a global level that is only found with international travel.  For me that “self and community” opened a world of love, laughter, and fun along with a deeper understanding of peace, humanity and the importance of the common good of others.

My plan is to write a series of short blogs sharing how I came to feel this way and some of the experiences that taught me these life lessons.  However I do not want to end my first personal post here so let me share one trick of international long flight travel that has worked for me.

My philosophy on flying.  Any flight no matter how far is just a matter of scheduling like any day in your life and it can fly by.  Example – a 14-hour flight to China may be ¼ a book, 8 hours sleep, a 2 hour movie and then another ¼ a book – presto – I am in my destination.  A 9 hour flight to Brazil – one hour reading, 2 two hour movies, a 1 hours nap, 1 hour for food, bathroom and drink breaks, and 2 more hours of reading.  So simple, the day fly’s by and I am at my destination (no pun intended).  You need to be sure if the flight you have booked does not have personal movies on demand that you buy a cd player and some movies to bring with you.  This is key.  I plan all flights like a day I would schedule for business.  Like life my schedules are flexible and open to change but as a planner this helps me pass the time quickly.  Oh, I almost forgot the one exception.  And this is BIG.  Speak to your neighbor!!!!  It is not planned but you may end up next to the most interesting person, a local to give you advice, a new friend to explore with or a random contact that you find yourself calling for a job 5 years later or the most fascinating conversation you could imagine.  Then again if you have the other kind, you know who I mean, you will be glad you have that movie on hand.  Here is the deal, you never know who is just next door.   Take the time to start your international experience on the flight.  Because this is where your travels begin.

Till next time,

Jim and I in Israel

Shari

Australia Work and Holiday, Thoughts and Words, Travel, Work Abroad

Top 10 places to visit in Australia this winter – Number 5

Re-posted from our sister page, LifExchange Campus.
With so many places to visit and things to do no one can explore Australia with only a two weeks vacation. Over the next 10 weeks we will share new destinations to be explored on your 6-12 month LifExchange Work and Holiday program.
Winter is almost here in the US. Head down south for another summer and skip the cold.
Australia’s Summer Invites You! Experience Australia’s glorious summer from December to February. Walk along spectacular coastal cliffs from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Bronte. Day trip from Melbourne to the vineyards, beaches, national parks, golf courses and day spas of the Mornington Peninsula. Taste Tasmania’s finest food and wine on the historic Hobart waterfront or explore food, wine and history in the Swan Valley, near Perth. Follow fresh seafood around the pristine coastline of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula or watch coral spawning en-masse on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Experience dazzling thunderstorms and blossoming vegetation in the tropical Top End. Or get up close to native Australian animals and ancient Aboriginal history in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Canberra. Summer in Australia is also the season for world class cricket, grand slam tennis, vibrant music festivals, NYE celebrations and outdoor cultural events.

WE CONTINUE OUR COUNTDOWN WITH NUMBER 5: Tropical summer in Australia’s Top End

Submit to the powerful pull of nature during the Top End’s tropical summer, which lasts from December to early March. Your electronic calendar becomes redundant in this season of dazzling thunderstorms, overflowing creeks and blossoming vegetation. Wander Darwin’s lush parks and watch lightning dance over waterfalls in Litchfield National Park. Experience the magic of the monsoon in Kakadu National Park and fly over spectacular Katherine Gorge when water levels are at their highest.

There’s something liberating about being on nature’s timeline. Darwin always has an easygoing pace, but it slows even more during summer to match the regular rhythm of sunshine and showers. Locals love the ‘wet’ after the long dry months. Storms surge in over the Arafura Sea and the parks and gardens turn a deep green after spectacular, short-lived downpours. Wander past monsoon flora in George Brown Botanic Gardens and swim in the clear waterholes of Berry Springs Nature Park next to flocks of tropical birds. You can experience Darwin’s outdoor lifestyle all throughout the sultry summer. Sample a fabulous smorgasbord of food in the weekend open-air markets and see nature’s pyrotechnics light the sky from a beachside pub.

The waterfalls of nearby Litchfield National Park make a dramatic resurgence during summer. See the twin torrents of Florence Falls tumble over terraced monsoon forest and follow 160 steps down to the deep, cool plunge pool below. Do the short walk to Buley Rockhole, a series of cascading waterfalls and waterholes, which teem with life after the tropical storms. Watch orange-footed scrubfowl, honeyeaters, figbirds and Torres Strait pigeons foraging for fruit and berries. Swim and picnic alongside thundering Wangi Falls, where marsupial mice, frogs and frill-neck lizards dart around the water’s edge.

In Kakadu National Park, the local Bininj people have charted nature’s cycle over six different seasons. Late December to late March is the Gudjewg monsoon season, when heavy rains coax the landscape back to life. Native birds flock across the wetlands, tropical flowers fringe the rivers and spear grass sprouts across the flood plains. Follow the Yurmikmik Walks to waterfalls surging over rugged escarpments into deep swimming holes. The Boulder Creek Walk, Yurmikmik Lookout Walk, Motor Car Falls and Kurrundie Creek Walk are open all year round. Cruise down the East Alligator River past abundant native birds and animals or take in the scope and scale of this lush landscape on a scenic helicopter flight.

You won’t forget the aerial view of Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, which sits just north-east of Katherine. These 13 interconnected gorges are particularly spectacular during tropical summer, when the Katherine River is brimming with water. Survey the powerful waterfalls and maze of ancient sandstone from a helicopter or cruise through the gorge’s towering walls. Depending on the weather, you can swim in pandanus-fringed plunge pools beneath Edith Falls, in Butterfly Gorge or Sweetwater Pool. Walk sections of the Jatbula Trail past monsoon rainforest to Crystal Falls or the single drop waterfall of 17 Mile Falls. Follow the Windolf Walk to Pat’s lookout for sweeping views over Nitmiluk Gorge and the summer waterfall of Southern Rockhole.

Leave your daily routine behind for the volatile beauty of summer in Australia’s tropical Top End. This season of brilliant sunshine and drenching rains will leave you feeling as vibrant as the landscapes.

Are you ready to head to Australia? If you are between the ages of 18-30 you may qualify for a Work and Holiday Visa. Pay for your travels, build your resume and make new friends. Contact us now to learn more.

Information provided by © Tourism Australia 2011
Australia Work and Holiday, Travel, Work Abroad

Top 10 places to visit in Australia this winter – Number 6

Re-posted from our sister site LifExchange Campus

With so many places to visit and things to do no one can explore Australia with only a two weeks vacation. Over the next 10 weeks we will share new destinations to be explored on your 6-12 month LifExchange Work and Holiday program.
Winter is almost here in the US. Head down south for another summer and skip the cold.
Australia’s Summer Invites You! Experience Australia’s glorious summer from December to February. Walk along spectacular coastal cliffs from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Bronte. Day trip from Melbourne to the vineyards, beaches, national parks, golf courses and day spas of the Mornington Peninsula. Taste Tasmania’s finest food and wine on the historic Hobart waterfront or explore food, wine and history in the Swan Valley, near Perth. Follow fresh seafood around the pristine coastline of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula or watch coral spawning en-masse on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Experience dazzling thunderstorms and blossoming vegetation in the tropical Top End. Or get up close to native Australian animals and ancient Aboriginal history in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Canberra. Summer in Australia is also the season for world class cricket, grand slam tennis, vibrant music festivals, NYE celebrations and outdoor cultural events.

WE CONTINUE OUR COUNTDOWN WITH NUMBER 6: Tasmania Taste Festival

Each summer, over the new year period, hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on Hobart for eight days and seven nights of eating, drinking and entertainment. The city’s wharves, marina and the river Derwent provide the backdrop for more than 70 food and beverage stalls, as well as art exhibitions and performance stages.

In this sensory feast, Tasmania’s local produce is the main event. Indulge in fresh Tasmanian seafood, such as salmon, oysters, scallops, blue fin tuna and giant west coast crabs. Taste Bruny Island cheese and Bicheno berries. Sip on local champagne, cool-climate wine, peat-distilled malt whiskies and boutique beers. Devour pastries filled with organic vegetables or dishes prepared with milk-fed lamb and veal. Stock up on farm-fresh jams, relishes and pickles. Try deserts made with apples and cherries from local orchards. The festival also showcases international flavours – from Persian to Indian to Spanish – all prepared with fresh Tasmanian ingredients.

A colourful range of events complements this foodie heaven. Learn about the origins of your meal at special movie screenings and browse artworks and installations in a series of shipping containers named ‘Contained Taste’. Get the secrets of Tasmania’s master chefs at a cooking workshop or take a food tour through Hobart. Watch performances ranging from quirky street theatre to daring aerial acts and buskers playing air guitar. Four indoor and outdoor stages host musicians, singers and comedians, with previous festivals featuring the Australian music veterans Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach.

Most of the action happens in and around Princes Wharf, with the sailboats, sea air and historic sandstone streets an integral part of the festival vibe. Dine alfresco on the waterfront, watching the cruise ships dock or checking out the yachts that have sailed over the finish line in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. The Heemskirk Melbourne to Hobart and the Clive Peeters Launceston to Hobart yacht races are also held around the same time, adding to the general mood of waterfront celebration.

Slip between tanned yachties and merry locals at the festival’s new year’s eve party. It offers a great vantage spot for the fireworks over Sullivans Cove, and a foot-tapping mix of bands and DJs. Relax with a glass of Tasmanian sparkling along the waterfront or dance the night away in the forecourt.

Don’t miss Tasmania’s Taste Festival – a summer feast of food and fun.

Are you ready to head to Australia? If you are between the ages of 18-30 you may qualify for a Work and Holiday Visa. Pay for your travels, build your resume and make new friends. Contact us now to learn more.

Information provided by © Tourism Australia 2011


Australia Work and Holiday, Student Activities, Travel, Work Abroad

Top 10 places to visit in Australia this winter – Number 7

Re-posted from our sister site LifExchange Campus:

With so many places to visit and things to do no one can explore Australia with only a two weeks vacation. Over the next 10 weeks we will share new destinations to be explored on your 6-12 month LifExchange Work and Holiday program.

Winter is almost here in the US. Head down south for another summer and skip the cold.

Australia’s Summer Invites You! Experience Australia’s glorious summer from December to February. Walk along spectacular coastal cliffs from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Bronte. Day trip from Melbourne to the vineyards, beaches, national parks, golf courses and day spas of the Mornington Peninsula. Taste Tasmania’s finest food and wine on the historic Hobart waterfront or explore food, wine and history in the Swan Valley, near Perth. Follow fresh seafood around the pristine coastline of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula or watch coral spawning en-masse on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Experience dazzling thunderstorms and blossoming vegetation in the tropical Top End. Or get up close to native Australian animals and ancient Aboriginal history in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Canberra. Summer in Australia is also the season for world class cricket, grand slam tennis, vibrant music festivals, NYE celebrations and outdoor cultural events.

WE CONTINUE OUR COUNTDOWN WITH NUMBER 7: South Summer in the Swan Valley

Summer in the Swan Valley is all about the good life. Drive to family-run wineries and boutique breweries or visit them on a luxury cruise up the Swan River. Dine alfresco in vineyard restaurants or spread out a gourmet picnic in the parklands. Explore the charming colonial village of Guildford, shop for art and antiques and travel back to the 19th century with a night in heritage-listed accommodation. The area is also home to wildlife sanctuaries, rambling countryside and national parks to walk, horse ride and cycle through.

Sitting north of Perth on the tranquil Swan River, the Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region. Many of the 40 wineries are small, family operations, where you can chat to the grandchildren of the Croatian and Italian migrants who founded the region in the 1920s. Others are international labels with vast vineyards and state-of-the-art cellars. Contrast and compare the region’s specialities, such as verdelho, chenin blanc, chardonnay, shiraz, cabernet and fortifieds. Explore the region by bus, horse-drawn wagon, black cab or chauffeured car. Join a gourmet cruise from Perth or self- drive the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail.

After the wineries, taste boutique beer at the four microbreweries or electrify your tastebuds with canefire rum or chilli-flavoured vodka at the distilleries. Dine amongst the vines in a winery restaurant or in a rustic café overlooking the countryside. Try hand-made truffles in the local chocolate factory and stock up on succulent summer grapes – a regional specialty – from roadside stalls. Add them to a picnic hamper loaded with local cheese, olives, tapenades, jumbo strawberries, juicy rockmelon and vine-ripened tomatoes. Lay out your feast next to the Avon River at Bells Rapids, at Middle Swan Bridge or amongst the banksia bushland of vast Whiteman Park.

However you get here, don’t miss a visit to charming Guildford, at the gateway to the Swan Valley and circled by the Swan and Helena Rivers. With polo fields, cafes serving Devonshire tea and buildings dating back to the 1840s, Guildford’s colonial past is ever-present. Take a heritage walk around the village or join a guided tour of Woodbridge House, where a prosperous 19th century family once lived. Browse the antique stores and art galleries along James Street and catch the monthly craft market at Guildford Town Hall. See local potters at work in an old cottage and view classic art works in a grand heritage-listed home. Spend a night in one of Guildford’s historic lodgings, which range from Western Australia’s oldest home to the federation-style pub. You can even cycle from Guildford to Swan Valley on the Swan Valley Heritage Trail.

You can also base yourself in neighbouring Midland, which also retains its heritage character. Or head deeper into the Swan Valley to Gidgegannup, which sits nestled amongst wildflower-sprinkled forests and native bush. All make good bases for adventure across the region’s many natural attractions. Wind through the jarrah, marri and wandoo woodlands in Berry Reserve. Hike, horse ride or cycle through similar scenery in John Forrest National, one of Australia’s oldest conservation areas. Get up close to koalas, kangaroos and dingos in the wildlife park in Caversham and see crocodiles being fed in the reptile park in Henley Brook. Lying to the valley’s north are Walyunga National Park in the Darling Range and Avon Valley National Park, a popular spot for white water rafting and canoeing.

This summer, combine sunshine with food, wine, history and idyllic scenery in the Swan Valley.

Are you ready to head to Australia now? If you are between the ages of 18-30 you may qualify for a Work and Holiday Visa. Pay for your travels, build your resume and make new friends. Contact us now to learn more.

Information provided by © Tourism Australia 2011

Australia Work and Holiday, Thoughts and Words

Top 10 places to visit in Australia this winter – Number 8

Re-posted from our sister site LifExchange Campus:
With so many places to visit and things to do no one can explore Australia with only a two weeks vacation. Over the next 10 weeks we will share new destinations to be explored on your 6-12 month LifExchange Work and Holiday program.
Winter is almost here in the US. Head down south for another summer and skip the cold.
Australia’s Summer Invites You! Experience Australia’s glorious summer from December to February. Walk along spectacular coastal cliffs from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Bronte. Day trip from Melbourne to the vineyards, beaches, national parks, golf courses and day spas of the Mornington Peninsula. Taste Tasmania’s finest food and wine on the historic Hobart waterfront or explore food, wine and history in the Swan Valley, near Perth. Follow fresh seafood around the pristine coastline of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula or watch coral spawning en-masse on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Experience dazzling thunderstorms and blossoming vegetation in the tropical Top End. Or get up close to native Australian animals and ancient Aboriginal history in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Canberra. Summer in Australia is also the season for world class cricket, grand slam tennis, vibrant music festivals, NYE celebrations and outdoor cultural events.

WE CONTINUE OUR COUNTDOWN WITH NUMBER 8: South Australia’s aquaculture trail

Follow oysters, prawns, scallops and fish around the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula. Self drive or visit the aquaculture farms, fishing boats and old fishing ports on organised tours. See where threatened murray cod are farmed in Whyalla and taste fresh oysters in Cowell. Swim with tuna in Port Lincoln and spot dolphins around the oyster farm of Coffin Bay. Hand pick fresh crayfish in Elliston and feast on freshly-caught whiting, abalone and blue swimmer crabs in Streaky Bay and Ceduna. Along the way, swim and surf from long white beaches, stay in sleepy seaside towns and walk rugged sea cliffs and discover diving hot-spots.

Whyalla is a four hour drive from Adelaide, and even further from the Murray River. Yet it’s here on an aquaculture farm the endangered Murray cod is thriving. See them cruise next to tropical barramundi as you learn about their high-protein diet and the environmental factors which threaten them. Fish from Whyalla’s jetty or wade out to catch crabs during summer low tide. In nearby Fitzgerald Bay, you can walk along pristine beaches and see yellowtail kingfish in the clean sea.

Stop in Cowell to savour seasonal oysters with a glass of wine at the oyster farm. Drive down the peninsula’s spectacular east coast to Port Lincoln, where you can watch oysters, mussels, King George whiting, prawns and lobsters being prepared in the local fish factory. Order a genuine fisherman’s basket here or have a closer lunch liaison on a bluefin tuna cruise around Boston Bay. Hand feed or swim with the valuable tuna fishes or peer at them through the underwater observatory. A tuna tossing competition and seafood banquet are some of the events on offer in Port Lincoln’s Tunarama Festival in January.

North lies the tranquil fishing village of Coffin Bay, where some of the country’s most succulent oysters are shucked. Cruise past dolphins and seals to the local oyster farm or take in the seaside scenery on the Oyster Walk. Continue up the Eyre Peninsula’s west coast to the crayfish haven of Elliston, where dinner is as easy as picking a live crayfish from the tank. Drive past Venus Bay, pausing at Needle Eye Lookout for views over the spectacular, rocky coastline. Dive with dolphins or swim with inquisitive sea lions in Baird Bay. Further west in Point Labatt, you can contemplate the sea lions at play.

Visit an oyster shed and taste seafood from the waters of the Great Australian Bight in Streaky Bay, home to a large population of green-lipped abalone. Further along the coast lies Smoky Bay, where you can taste Pacific oysters on a tour of the aquaculture plant. Next, drive to Ceduna, home to dreamy white beaches and a thriving fishing industry. Learn about the species that are farmed here while dining on an ocean-fresh seafood platter. Pack your fishing rods and four wheel drive to Davenport Creek, also a popular spot for surfing, body-boarding and water skiing. Or continue along the coast to Cactus Beach, where you can ride the world-class waves or angle for fish.

From sleepy seaside operations to mega fish farms, you can experience all levels of the Eyre Peninsula’s lucrative local fishing industry. What’s more, this seafood adventure is also a classic summer holiday, featuring relaxed towns, white beaches and clean, crashing ocean.

Are you ready to head to Australia now? If you are between the ages of 18-30 you may qualify for a Work and Holiday Visa. Pay for your travels, build your resume and make new friends. Contact us now to learn more.

Information provided by © Tourism Australia 2011
Australia Work and Holiday

Top 10 places to visit in Australia this winter – Number 9

Re-posted from our sister site: LifExchange Campus

With so many places to visit and things to do no one can explore Australia with only a two weeks vacation. Over the next 10 weeks we will share new destinations to be explored on your 6-12 month LifExchange Work and Holiday program.
Winter is almost here in the US. Head down south for another summer and skip the cold.
Australia’s Summer Invites You! Experience Australia’s glorious summer from December to February. Walk along spectacular coastal cliffs from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Bronte. Day trip from Melbourne to the vineyards, beaches, national parks, golf courses and day spas of the Mornington Peninsula. Taste Tasmania’s finest food and wine on the historic Hobart waterfront or explore food, wine and history in the Swan Valley, near Perth. Follow fresh seafood around the pristine coastline of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula or watch coral spawning en-masse on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Experience dazzling thunderstorms and blossoming vegetation in the tropical Top End. Or get up close to native Australian animals and ancient Aboriginal history in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Canberra. Summer in Australia is also the season for world class cricket, grand slam tennis, vibrant music festivals, NYE celebrations and outdoor cultural events.

WE CONTINUE OUR COUNTDOWN WITH NUMBER 9: Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne’s summer playground

Life really is a breeze on the Mornington Peninsula, a summer paradise dotted with seaside villages, vineyards, beaches, national parks, galleries, golf courses, day spas and restaurants. Offering romance, relaxation, indulgence and adventure, it’s easy to see why Melbournians love this place for a week or weekend escape.

It’s an hour drive around Port Phillip Bay from Melbourne to Frankston, where the chain of dreamy holiday towns and golden beaches begin. Visit Mornington, where yachts bob in the harbour, and stroll along the tranquil beaches of Mount Martha, Safety Beach and Dromana. Spot the colourful beach boxes that line the sands along the peninsula. Swim with dolphins in historic Sorrento or join Melbourne’s A-listers in the cosmopolitan cafes of Portsea. Both Sorrento and Portsea sit on the peninsula’s tip, between gentle bay beaches and the spectacular surf of Bass Strait.

There’s no shortage of things to do along this enchanting coastline. If walking tops your list, see staggering coastal views and kangaroos on a cliff-top walk through Mornington Peninsula National Park. Follow the Fort Nepean Walk past the labyrinth of tunnels guarding Port Phillip Bay. Or take the Bushrangers Bay Trail to Cape Schanck Lighthouse, past basalt promontory and rockpools. Climb to the summit of Arthurs Seat State Park, where you can survey the bay and Melbourne skyline. For a true challenge, the Two Bays Trail winds 26km through bushland and beach. It’s the peninsula’s longest continuous walking track, linked by boardwalks, steps, bridges and grass paths.

Off shore, you can snorkel or scuba dive with fish, sea dragons, soft coral and even submerged World War I submarines in the marine park around Port Phillip Heads. Spot fur seals, dolphins and gannets on a wildlife cruise from Sorrento. November to March is snapper season, and you can fish from piers lining the bay, from the wild ocean beaches or on a charter into the Bass Strait. Surf the back beaches of Sorrento and Portsea or at Rye, Point Leo or Gunnamatta Beach. Gallop through Gunnamatta’s crashing waves on horseback, or horse ride at Arthurs Seat, Cape Schanck, Red Hill or Sommerville.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the hinterland. You’ll find a picturesque winery region, with 170 vineyards and 50 cellar doors clustered around Red Hill, Merricks, Balnarring, Moorooduc, Shoreham and Main Ridge. Sample the hallmark pinot noir and chardonnay and visit the microbrewery. Buy organic vegetable from roadside stalls or pick your own strawberries, berries and cherries from orchards between November and April. Wander olive groves with ocean views or picnic in one of the many public and private gardens. There are century-old rose gardens, sculpted hedge mazes and the manicured lawns of heritage homes to relax next to.

When you’ve had your fill of fine wine and food, get pampered at a day spa in Mornington, Red Hill, Fingal, Rye or Portsea. Or play a round of golf on the lush, world-class, pro-designed courses spread across the peninsula. Try the unique coastal course in Flinders or enjoy the carnival atmosphere of the Portsea Cascade Pro-Am 2009 in January. If art, craft and collectable attracts you, browse the huge antique collection in a converted apple store in Tyabb. Check out the work of local artists in galleries in Mornington, Sorrento and Flinders and see paintings inspired by the scenery on the Coastal Art Trail around Port Phillip Bay.

During summer, the Mornington Peninsula is abuzz with all nature of events. See boats sail past the peninsula in the Melbourne to Hobart yacht race in late December. Cheer from the beach for the Portsea Swim Classic or the Rye Pole to Pier Swim, both in January. The same month, celebrate music at the Briars Park Jazz Festival in Mount Martha, the Red Hill Country Music Festival or the Coolart Jazz Festival in Somers. Enjoy a showcase of the peninsula’s bountiful fresh produce at the Dromana Strawberry Festival and Frankston Sea Festival in January and Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir Celebration in February.

However you experience this summer playground, you won’t run out of things to do.

Are you ready to head to Australia? If you are between the ages of 18-30 you may qualify for a Work and Holiday Visa. Pay for your travels, build your resume and make new friends. Contact us now to learn more.

Information provided by © Tourism Australia 2011
Australia Work and Holiday

Places to visit in Australia this winter – Top 10 (Number 10)

Re-posted from our sister site: LifExchange Campus

With so many places to visit and things to do no one can explore Australia with only a two weeks vacation. Over the next 10 weeks we will share new destinations to be explored on your 6-12 month LifExchange Work and Holiday program.

Winter is almost here in the US. Head down south for another summer and skip the cold.

Australia’s Summer Invites You! Experience Australia’s glorious summer from December to February. Walk along spectacular coastal cliffs from Sydney’s Bondi Beach to Bronte. Day trip from Melbourne to the vineyards, beaches, national parks, golf courses and day spas of the Mornington Peninsula. Taste Tasmania’s finest food and wine on the historic Hobart waterfront or explore food, wine and history in the Swan Valley, near Perth. Follow fresh seafood around the pristine coastline of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula or watch coral spawning en-masse on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Experience dazzling thunderstorms and blossoming vegetation in the tropical Top End. Or get up close to native Australian animals and ancient Aboriginal history in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Canberra. Summer in Australia is also the season for world class cricket, grand slam tennis, vibrant music festivals, NYE celebrations and outdoor cultural events.

We begin our count down at Number 10 with Bondi to Bronte, Sydney:

Sydney in summertime is all about its coastline, and few stretches are as iconic as the sea-sculpted section from Bondi to Bronte. Learn to surf at Bondi, join the beautiful people in Tamarama and swim in Bronte’s family-friendly rock pool. See all three beaches on the Bondi to Bronte walk – a short, spectacular coastal trail along epic sandstone cliffs.

Start your tour on the sweeping, sandy arc of Bondi Beach, a kilometer of golden grains where people from all walks of life come to play. It’s a hive of activity all year around, but especially in summer, when crowds sprawl over the sand. Swim between the flags and learn to surf in the gentler waves at the beach’s northern end. Grab lunch with a view on Campbell Parade or check out the vibrant off-beach dining scene on Hall Street. Shop in the funky back street boutiques and browse the Sunday markets for hand-made jewelry, local designs and stylish seconds. Watch the waterside action from the promenade or marvel at the acrobatic kids at Bondi Skate Park. Take a dip in the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool, or contemplate the swimmers with a drink in the restaurant above.

With its brazen beauty and eclectic crowds, Bondi Beach is the hub of many summer events. This is where backpackers wearing Santa hats and swimming costumes celebrate Christmas Day. A week later, revelers welcome in the new year with fireworks and a beach dance party with international DJs. In January, the short film festival Flickerfest kicks off Sydney’s summer cinema season with screenings in Bondi Pavilion and beneath the stars on Bondi Beach.

It’s all-natural glamour along the cliff-top walk, which begins at Icebergs on Bondi’s southern crest. Take in exhilarating views over the Pacific Ocean as you wind along the craggy, timeworn cliffs past sporty locals. In early November, you’ll also pass more than a hundred beautiful and thought-provoking sculptures as part of the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. Previous exhibits have included metal insects crawling over a car, curvy stone women sunbaking on the rocks and wire igloos on Tamarama Beach.

Nicknamed Glamarama for its beautiful crowds, Tamarama offers great surfing, a deep semi-circle of sand for volleyball players and a grassy area for barbeques and picnics. From here, the coastal walk climbs again, offering more stellar sea views before descending to Bronte. Swim from the beach or in Bronte Baths, where the swimming lanes bob around in the ocean waves. Surfers can try the right-hand waves at the south end or the beach breaks in the north. The tree-lined park is popular for family picnics and riotous soccer games and you’ll find great coffee in the strip of trendy cafes.

Walk back to Bondi, hop on a bus to the city or continue along the coastal walk. From Bronte, it stretches south to the snorkeling havens of Clovelly and Gordons Bay; Coogee filled with families and backpackers and Maroubra with its huge waves.

This summer, immerse yourself in Sydney’s sun-drenched lifestyle on a walk from Bondi to Bronte.

Are you ready to head to Australia? If you are between the ages of 18-30 you may qualify for a Work and Holiday Visa. Pay for your travels, build your resume and make new friends. Contact us now to learn more.

Information provided by © Tourism Australia 2011
Australia Work and Holiday, Thoughts and Words

Plan your Work and Holiday Adventure to Australia in a few simple steps.

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Why sign up for a Work and Holiday Program?

Earn money while traveling, build your resume and have new adventures.

Step 1:  Book your Work and Holiday program – Doing it all yourself can cost a lot of money and time.  Use a company that offers a lot of assistance and inclusions to make your time smooth and planning easy.  For information check out the LifExchange, Global Work and Travel Work and Holiday package that includes everything you will need to land a job, have housing assistance and to be prepared as you make your journey.
Step 2:  Apply for your Work and Holiday Visa as early as 60 day before you plan to travel.  You can apply for your Work and Holiday visa online directly with the Australian Government.  The process can take as little as two weeks as long as you meet all the eligibility requirements and have an up to date valid US passport.  To apply online visit: https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/visas/app/uu?form=WH
Step 3:  Organize your flight – Booking your flight is best to do after you have spoken to your Work and Holiday Program operator.  They can tell you when the start dates are for your preferred employment and suggest the best arrival time.  They may also know what airlines offer special deals or fly most often from your departure region.
Step 4: Travel Insurance – Travellers heading overseas are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance. Medical costs can be very expensive when travelling internationally, and many companies will not let you depart on a tour if you do not have sufficient insurance coverage. To ensure your peace of mind and protection in the event of an emergency, we strongly recommend getting insurance.   Travel insurance can cover things such as health, medical, travel (incl. lost luggage and documents), special events, and emergency evacuation.  Click here to request more information.
Step 5:  Learn more about Australia before you head out.  Check out these recommended guides!
Step 6:  Read about other peoples experience participating on Work Abroad programs around the world.  Visit LifExchange testimonial page or read this great article from Matador Network written by a work abroad Australia traveler.
Step 7:  Have an adventure of a lifetime!  Make sure you take advantage of the opportunities to visit local sites, meet new people and most of all HAVE FUN!
Australia Work and Holiday, Thoughts and Words

11 Safety Tips and other Tidbits for International Travelers

1.     Use the same safety precautions you would at home!  I live in NYC and there are everyday precautions I use when I travel and at home – Avoid walking alone on deserted streets after dark, keep your money in a secured location, carry a cell phone when possible.  Most mobile carriers have international plans or you can buy a prepaid cell phone at many airports to be used for local or emergency calls.

2.     Learn about the local culture – pick up a travel book before you depart home.  Read about the place you are going to visit.  Some great travel guides will tell you where the best local pubs and eateries are.  Don’t just visit the designated tourist site’s, go to a coffee shop and chat with a local to learn more about the city you are visiting.  One of my best travel days many years ago was when I found a group of tourists from Sao Paolo on the same tour as myself in Curitiba.  They were local to the country but we were on the same adventure.  We quickly became friends as they taught me how to order brigadeiros with my coffee con leche and what stops were worth seeing with my hop on hop off bus pass.

3.     Know the local currency and understand the exchange rate.  The quickest way to loose money is not to understand it.

4.     Transportation – Before you even depart check out the public transportation routes and schedules.  Find out if you need any special license or an IDP to drive.  Want to travel by taxi? Find a Taxi Stand – You can usually find a taxi stand on the street in any country in a large city — even if you can’t read the words, you’ll notice taxis congregating near the sign. Generally, only taxi’s authorized to carry passengers are allowed to stop at these taxi stands, meaning the taxi is as safe as that country mandates, and the cab driver licensed. Look for these cab stands at foreign airports, too.

5.     Have copies of everything – It’s a simple rule, but a wise one.  I always find it useful to copy my passport, travel itinerary and tickets, driver’s license, and other pertinent paperwork.  I keep a copy on me and leave a copy with someone I trust back home.  If you have your belongings stolen or lost your trusted friend or family member can fax or email you copies to assist in retrieving lost bags, visiting your embassy for emergency passport replacement, etc. – this can save hours of headaches.

6.    Do you know how to pack smart?  Take advantage of those “hidden” spaces – For example, place small items inside your shoes or the pockets of shirts or jackets you pack.  Pack extra bags in your bag – Packing a duffle bag in your luggage gives you extra space to bring things home with you. It’s also a good idea to bring plastic sandwich or grocery bags for laundry or other items.   Don’t pack what you can get at your destination – many hotels have a hair dryer in every room, along with many toiletry items, so you don’t need to pack them.

7.     Learn the laws and customs of the land you’re visiting – you are responsible for your behavior and knowing local rules and regulations.

8.     Crime can be found anywhere – “It’s about body language, awareness and intuition,” says Robert Siciliano, a personal security expert and the author of “The Safety Minute.” If you look like you know what you’re doing and where you are going — even if you look like a tourist — you’re a lot less likely to be targeted.

9.     Travel with less cash.  Most countries these days have access to ATM machines; pack your debit card.  It is worth the piece of mind of not carrying loads of cash and less hassle then travelers cheques in many locations.  Naturally when you hit the streets in NY, Rio or Rome you will want to carry cash for a little shopping, or street food just be thoughtful about your plans for each day and plan accordingly. Some ATM machines even offer better exchange rates than the airport or your hotel. Just be cautious of ATM fees as they can add up, and avoid using a credit card.

10.     Want to take an extended trip on a budget?  Try a Work and Holiday Adventure. With many countries to choose from this is an opportunity to make some pocket money while living abroad.

11.  Travel is about having an adventure of a lifetime – having new experiences, visiting new places and creating new memories.  I wish everyone a safe journey as you head to your next destination.